It May Be Her First Year on the Job, but the Accolades Are Already Pouring in for This GM

VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - Jul 25, 2013) - There's nothing quite like receiving recognition for a job well done, and the Residence Inn Vancouver Downtown is getting its due. One year after its grand opening, the general manager, Suzanne Allemeier, received the 2013 Opening General Manager of the Year Award by Residence Inn Marriott.

General Managers of hotels that opened between August 2011 and August 2012 were considered for the award, and this hotel near Vancouver International Airport fell perfectly within that timeframe: Its grand opening was in July 2012. Allemeier joined the hotel in December 2011 as its general manager, giving her less than a year to prepare for the property's grand opening. Allemeier wasted no time in integrating the staff and fine-tuning the day-to-day operations of the hotel, from perfecting the Vancouver hotel suites, to overseeing the host of complimentary services provided by the hotel, like grocery shopping and hosted social hours.

As a result, the grand opening -- not to mention the ensuing year -- has been notably successful. In fact, the award recognizes leadership and management skills as much as it does guest satisfaction and financial results, all of which are areas where Allemeier now has a proven track record.

"This award is a reflection of the amazing and talented team that I have the honour of working with every day," Allemeier said. "Our team's dedication has resulted in a remarkable opening year, and we hope to continue carrying this success into the future."

Already these downtown Vancouver accommodations are on the right track. Encompassing 201 fully furnished suites, convenient amenities like complimentary hot breakfasts and five meeting rooms ideal for small- to medium-sized groups, the hotel works hard to meet its guests' needs. Plus its convenient location near the Vancouver Convention Centre, and the downtown area's shops, sights and restaurants means it will continue to be an attractive and exciting option for travellers in the years to come. Allemeier has certainly made a good start of it so far.

About the Residence Inn Vancouver DowntownNestled into the heart of cosmopolitan Vancouver is the 21-floor Residence Inn Vancouver Downtown, where travellers are treated to a fresh, modern welcome that matches the city's natural splendor. The property's 201 suites preside over the vibrant metropolis, which unfurls from English Bay Beach to Grouse Mountain. The hotel is ideally suited to business travelers who are either attending conferences or looking for an extended stay. Complimentary grocery delivery is available, for example, complimentary breakfasts are included, and all public and private spaces feature complimentary high-speed wireless and wired Internet access. Suites, meanwhile, feature fully equipped kitchens (including a refrigerator, microwave, stovetop and coffee/tea service), 42-inch LCD flat-panel HD televisions and generous workspaces. In addition to the hotel's five meeting rooms (2,196 square feet), guests travelling for work or pleasure are welcome to join the hosted evening socials, or drop in at Cavino, the hotel's social gathering space that, in addition to meals, serves coffee during the day and wine in the evening. For those who prefer physical activity to social ones, a modern fitness center with an indoor pool and whirlpool offer the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day.